Although individuals undergoing cancer therapy are likely to experience multiple concurrent symptoms, most research has examined individual symptoms. The clustering and pattern of cancer symptoms in patient groups is not well understood. Likewise, little is known about the antecedents and consequences of symptom clusters. This presentation reports a secondary data analysis describing groups of cancer patients with unique patterns of clustered symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms. Clinical and demographic antecedents as well as clinical outcomes associated with the symptom cluster groups are examined. The updated Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al., ANR, 1997) provides the conceptual basis for the analysis. Data were derived from a randomized clinical trial of energy conservation to manage fatigue during cancer therapy (Barsevick et al., Cancer, 2004). The sample consisted of 278 individuals treated for a variety of cancers with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or combination therapy. Data collected 48 hours after the second chemotherapy or at the end of radiotherapy were used in the analysis. The Profile of Mood States Depression Scale, General Fatigue Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Functional Performance Inventory were the valid and reliable measures used. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three homogeneous groups based on the presence and severity of the three symptoms. Parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures were used to examine the relationships with antecedents and consequences. Three symptom cluster groups demonstrated significant differences in all symptoms (all p<.001). Group #1 (N=154) had the lowest symptom levels. Group #2 (N=89) had lower fatigue and depression but moderate sleep disturbance. Group #3 (N=35) demonstrated the highest symptom levels. Two antecedents were associated with symptom cluster group membership: group #2 had a higher percentage of married individuals; group #3 had a higher percentage who received combination therapy. Group #3 had the worst consequence in overall functioning. The findings demonstrate that different cancer patient groups can be distinguished by the presence and severity of three common symptoms. Differences in outcome for symptom cluster groups were also evident. It is possible to use clinical and demographic antecedents to identify those at risk for high symptom levels.

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Although individuals undergoing cancer therapy are likely to experience multiple concurrent symptoms, most research has examined individual symptoms. The clustering and pattern of cancer symptoms in patient groups is not well understood. Likewise, little is known about the antecedents and consequences of symptom clusters. This presentation reports a secondary data analysis describing groups of cancer patients with unique patterns of clustered symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms. Clinical and demographic antecedents as well as clinical outcomes associated with the symptom cluster groups are examined. The updated Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (Lenz et al., ANR, 1997) provides the conceptual basis for the analysis. Data were derived from a randomized clinical trial of energy conservation to manage fatigue during cancer therapy (Barsevick et al., Cancer, 2004). The sample consisted of 278 individuals treated for a variety of cancers with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or combination therapy. Data collected 48 hours after the second chemotherapy or at the end of radiotherapy were used in the analysis. The Profile of Mood States Depression Scale, General Fatigue Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Functional Performance Inventory were the valid and reliable measures used. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three homogeneous groups based on the presence and severity of the three symptoms. Parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures were used to examine the relationships with antecedents and consequences. Three symptom cluster groups demonstrated significant differences in all symptoms (all p&lt;.001). Group #1 (N=154) had the lowest symptom levels. Group #2 (N=89) had lower fatigue and depression but moderate sleep disturbance. Group #3 (N=35) demonstrated the highest symptom levels. Two antecedents were associated with symptom cluster group membership: group #2 had a higher percentage of married individuals; group #3 had a higher percentage who received combination therapy. Group #3 had the worst consequence in overall functioning. The findings demonstrate that different cancer patient groups can be distinguished by the presence and severity of three common symptoms. Differences in outcome for symptom cluster groups were also evident. It is possible to use clinical and demographic antecedents to identify those at risk for high symptom levels.

en_GB

dc.date.available

2011-10-27T12:22:02Z

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dc.date.issued

2011-10-27

en_GB

dc.date.accessioned

2011-10-27T12:22:02Z

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dc.conference.date

2005

en_US

dc.conference.name

30th Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress

en_US

dc.conference.host

Oncology Nursing Society

en_US

dc.conference.location

Orlando, Florida, USA

en_US

dc.description.sponsorship

Funding Sources: NINR Grant 04573

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dc.description.note

This is an abstract-only submission. If the author has submitted a full-text item based on this abstract, you may find it by browsing the Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository by author. If author contact information is available in this abstract, please feel free to contact him or her with your queries regarding this submission. Alternatively, please contact the conference host, journal, or publisher (according to the circumstance) for further details regarding this item.
If a citation is listed in this record, the item has been published and is available via open-access avenues or a journal/database subscription. Contact your library for assistance in obtaining the as-published article.

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